Colwyn Harding files lawsuit

An 80 million lawsuit was filed against the government on behalf of sexual assault victim Colwyn Harding. Harding said that Timehri police used a condom-covered baton to sodomize him while he was in custody.

Harding in the lawsuit said his fundamental right to protection from torture and or inhuman and degrading treatment as guaranteed by the constitution were breached.

Dr Melissa Ifill a member of the Cowlyn Harding support group said that the government was given several opportunities to take action in the matter.

She said Harding’s attorney Nigel Hughes indicated to the attorney general Anil Nandlall that the case required some amount of compensation and the attorney general told him he should take his chances in the court.

Six months ago the young man came out with the allegations against the police; during that time the case was back and forth between the police, the Police Complaints Authority and the DPP.

Head of the Police Complaints Authority Justice Cecil Kennard in his most recent recommendations to the DPP is recommending criminal charges against the police. Ifill was concerned as to whether sexual assault charges would be brought against the policeman fingered.

Dr Ifill said that she was concerned that the medical records sent to the DPP by Harding’s attorney was not given to Justice Kennard.